BeauBasaldua8 at 01:51, 13 December 2025

2025-12-13T01:51:34Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox clergy
| child =
| honorific_prefix = [[The Reverend]]
| name = A. E. Inbanathan, [[Church of South India|CSI]]
| honorific_suffix = [[PhD]] ([[Hartford Seminary|Hartford]])
| image =
| imagesize =125px
| alt=
| caption =
| pronunciation =
| birth_name = Athisayanathan Emmanuel Inbanathan<ref>''Neu Delhi Dokumente: Berichte und Reden auf der Weltkirchenkonferenz in Neu Delhi 1961'', World Council of Churches. Assembly, Luther-Verlag, 1962, pp.461, 502. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PslHAQAAIAAJ&q=Athisayanathan+Inbanathan]</ref>
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| other_names =
| citizenship =
| education = [[B. D.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]), [[Master of Arts|M. A.]] ([[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)|Union]]), [[PhD]] ([[Hartford Seminary|Hartford]])
| alma_mater =[[United Theological College, Bangalore]], ([[Karnataka]]),<ref name="Hiwale">K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), ''Directory of the United Theological College 1910–1997'', Bangalore, 1997. Past students of the college diploma course, p.54; Postgraduate course, p.20.</ref> [[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)|Union Theological Seminary]], [[New York City|New York]] ([[United States]]),<ref name="Union">[https://books.google.com/books?id=N-IWAAAAIAAJ&q=inbanathan ''Union Seminary Quarterly Review'', Volumes 5–8, 1949, p.36]</ref><ref name="Columbia"/> [[Hartford Seminary]],<ref>[http://web01.hartsem.edu/pages/alumni/List.aspx Hartford Seminary Alumnae] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208054305/http://web01.hartsem.edu/pages/alumni/List.aspx |date=8 December 2015 }}</ref> [[Hartford, Connecticut]] ([[United States]])
| occupation = [[Pastor]]
| years_active =
| parents = Athisayanathan<ref>[http://judgmenthck.kar.nic.in/judgments/handle/123456789/424135?mode=full&submit_simple=Show+full+item+record High Court of Karnataka. RFA 526/1995]</ref>
| website = 
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| church = [[Church of South India]]<ref name="Union"/>
| ordained =
| writings ='''1949''', ''The Mysticism of Sadhu Sundar Singh'',<ref name="Columbia">A. E. Inbanathan, ''The Mysticism of Sadhu Sundar Singh'', Columbia University, Columbia, 1949. [https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/4282757]</ref> '''1951''', ''Karmasamsara: A study in history of doctrine of Hindu theology'',<ref name="Hartford">A. E. Inbanathan, ''Karmasamsara: A study in history of doctrine of Hindu theology'', Hartford Seminary Foundation, Hartford, 1951. Cited in Donald Bean Gilchrist, Edward Atwood Henry ''Doctoral Dissertations Accepted by American Universities'', Issue 18, H.W. Wilson Company, 1951, pp.7 and 251. [https://books.google.com/books?id=jDrgAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan]</ref> '''1958''', ''The Christian Message in the Indian Setting'',<ref>A. E. Inbanathan, ''The Christian Message in the Indian Setting'' in Blaise Levai (Edited), ''Revolution in missions: a study guide to the role of missions in present day India'', YMCA Publishing House, New Delhi, 1958, p.36. [https://books.google.com/books?id=CqFIAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan+vellore]</ref> '''1960''', ''Man in Christian Thought''<ref>A. E. Inbanathan, ''Man in Christian Thought'', RS, VIII:3–4, 1960. Cited by Siga Arles in ''Theological education for the mission of the church in India, 1947–1987: theological education in relation to the identification of the task of mission and the development of ministries in India, 1947–1987, with special reference to the Church of South India'', P. Lang, 1990, p.524. [https://books.google.com/books?id=7XnYAAAAMAAJ&q=Emmanuel+Inbanathan]</ref>
| congregations = [[Tindivanam]], [[Vellore]]
| offices_held =[[Pastor]], [[Church of South India]] {{small|()}} [[Chaplain]],<ref>''Western Theological Seminary, W88-0095. Piet, John H. (1914–1992). Papers, 1940–1992. 12.50 linear ft.'' (2013). Collection Registers and Abstracts. Paper 647. [http://digitalcommons.hope.edu/collection_registers/647]</ref> [[Christian Medical College and Hospital]], [[Vellore]] {{small|(−1960)}}
| title = The Reverend Doctor
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| footnotes =
}}
'''A. E. Inbanathan''' was the sixth general secretary of the [[Bible Society of India]] Central Office in [[Bangalore]], who held the office from 1960<ref name="ABS Record"/> to 1981,<ref name="GDV">G. D. V. Prasad, Chiranjivi J. Nirmal, ''Imaging the Word: A Twenty-First Century Perspective'', The Bible Society of India 1811–2011, Bible Society of India, Bangalore, 2000, (revised edition 2011), p.115. [http://www.thehindu.com/2001/10/02/stories/1302017e.htm]{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> the longest ever held by a clergyman.

Inbanathan was a pastor who served in a rural setting in [[Tindivanam]] from where he moved on to medical ministry serving as chaplain. During his stint at the [[Bible Society of India]], many translations of the Bible and revisions of the existing versions in the languages of India were undertaken. In 1964,<ref>''The Morung Express'', Dimapur, 20 February 2014, p.2, ''ABAM Commemorate 'Golden Jubilee' of Ao Bible translation''. [http://issuu.com/morung_express/docs/20th_february_2014/2]</ref> the [[Ao Naga language]] Bible was released in the presence of Inbanathan in [[Impur]]. Revision of the [[Telugu language]] Bible began during the tenure of Inbanathan who along with his colleague, [[Chrysostom Arangaden]], involved [[Old Testament]] scholars [[Victor Premasagar]] and G. Babu Rao.<ref>H. S. Wilson (Edited), The Church on the Move, Essays in honour of Victor Premasagar, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1988, p.vi. [https://books.google.com/books?id=S-wrAAAAMAAJ&q=babu+rao]</ref>

==Studies==
Inbanathan studied at the High School in [[Tindivanam]]<ref name="ABS Record">[https://books.google.com/books?id=VjXPAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan ''Bible Society Record'', American Bible Society, 1960, p.70]</ref> and the [[Voorhees College]], [[Vellore]], after which he discerned his avocation towards priesthood and underwent ministerial formation between 1939 and 1943 at the [[United Theological College, Bangalore]], affiliated to the nation's first<ref name="UNESCO">[http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0017/001790/179035eb.pdf UNESCO Structures of University Education in India, 1952]</ref> university, the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], under the principalship of [[Max Hunter Harrison]], after which the university awarded Inbanathan a graduate degree in [[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]] by then registrar C. E. Abraham.

In 1949,<ref name="Columbia"/> Inbanathan moved to the [[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)]]<ref name="Union"/> affiliated to the [[Columbia University]]<ref name="Columbia"/> where he pursued a postgraduate course. Inbanathan also pursued research<ref name="ABS Record"/> studies in [[comparative religion]] at the [[Hartford Seminary]]<ref name="Hartford"/> which he completed in 1951.<ref name="Hartford"/> Many interesting facets about A. E. Inbanathan during his time in America have been recorded in journals. ''The Quarterly Review'' of the [[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)]] wrote, ''He was young, intelligent and with an attractive personality.''. The General Synod of the Reformed Church of America noted, ''Rev. A. E. Inbanathan, pastor of one of the churches in South India has completed his studies in America and is enroute to his home.<ref>''119th Annual Report of the Board of World Missions'' (1951). Annual Reports. Book 96. [http://digitalcommons.hope.edu/world_annual_report/96]</ref> He has been an inspiration to all who have met him.''<ref>''The Acts & Proceedings of the Reformed Church in America'', Regular Session of the General Synod, Reformed Church in America, Volume 39, General Synod Board of publication and Bible-school work, 1951, p.17. [https://books.google.com/books?id=WhhKAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan+church+of+south+india]</ref>

==Ecclesiastical ministry==

===As rural pastor===
Inbanathan was a pastor<ref>"118th Annual Report of the Board of World Missions" (1950). Annual Reports. Book 95.
[http://digitalcommons.hope.edu/world_annual_report/95]</ref> of the South India United Church which later unionized itself into the [[Church of South India]] and served in [[Tindivanam]], the town in which the theologian [[D. S. Amalorpavadass]] schooled. As a rural pastor in Tindivanam, Inbanathan was able to understand the ethos of India enabling him to interact with people and gain pastoral experience at the ground level.

===As medical chaplain===
As chaplain of the [[Christian Medical College and Hospital]], [[Vellore]], Inbanathan played an active role both in [[chaplaincy]] as well and in administration of the Association and Council of the College as Secretary.<ref>''Bulletin of the Christian Medical College, Vellore'', Volumes 17–28, The Association, Vellore, 1955, p.18. [https://books.google.com/books?id=NKZRAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan]</ref>

===As administrator===
In 1960,<ref name="ABS Record"/> Inbanathan moved to the [[Bible Society of India]], [[Bangalore]], and took up the position of general secretary<ref name="ABS Record"/> of the society that was involved in Translations, Resource Mobilisation, Production and Distribution of the [[Sacred Scriptures]] with focus on India. When Inbanathan took up the office of General Secretary of the Bible Society of India, there were ten<ref>''Third Jubilee Souvenir 1811–1961'', Published on the Occasion of the Third Jubilee of the Bible Society of India and Ceylon, Bangalore, 1961 [https://books.google.com/books?id=vVYRHAAACAAJ&q=third+jubilee+souvenir]</ref> auxiliaries including one in [[Ceylon]]. Inbanathan's rural pastoral experience enabled him to manage the country-level auxiliaries at a better level with his successive colleagues at the auxiliary level consisting of [[E. Prakasam]], [[A. B. Masilamani]], [[B. G. Prasada Rao]] and others.

With a record service of nearly 21 years, Inbanathan was a name to reckon with in India. Inbanathan ensured that the Bible Society of India worked together with the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] and the [[National Council of Churches in India]] and the other ecclesiastical institutions.

In matters of administration at the Bible Society of India, Inbanathan worked closely with [[J. S. S. Malelu]],<ref>''The National Christian Council Review'', Volume 84, Wesley Press and Publishing House, 1964, p.474.[https://books.google.com/books?id=_szjAAAAMAAJ&q=Dr.A.E.Inbanathan]</ref> then president of the Bible Society of India, as well as the other successors.

Inbanathan also played a role at the [[United Bible Societies]]. In 1969, Inbanathan was elected as the chairperson of the General Committee of the United Bible Societies.<ref>Edwin H. Robertson, ''Taking the Word to the world: 50 years of the United Bible Societies'', T. Nelson Publishers, 1996, pp.79, 96, 120. [https://books.google.com/books?id=at1wAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan]</ref> In subsequent meetings of the United Bible Societies, Inbanathan was also elected as the chairperson of the Council of the United Bible Societies.<ref>''Annual Report of the American Bible Society'', Volume 162, American Bible Society, 1977, p.85. [https://books.google.com/books?id=ySZXAAAAYAAJ&q=Dr.A.E.Inbanathan]</ref>

Inbanathan retired from the Bible Society of India in 1981 during the presidency of [[Alexander Mar Thoma]].<ref>''The National Christian Council Review'', Volume 102, Wesley Press, 1982, p.59.[https://books.google.com/books?id=Af3YAAAAMAAJ&q=general+secretary]</ref>

==Other==
During the [[World Council of Churches]] conclave held from 19 November through 5 December 1961, Inbanathan participated in the Assembly as a fraternal delegate<ref>''The New Delhi Report'', The Third Assembly of the World Council of Churches 1961.
[https://archive.org/stream/newdelhireportth009987mbp/newdelhireportth009987mbp_djvu.txt]</ref> of the [[United Bible Societies]] and also spoke<ref>James William Kennedy, ''No darkness at all'', Bethany Press, 1962, p.43. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vjpUAAAAYAAJ&q=inbanathan]</ref> on 1 December on the topic ''The Bible and Evangelism'' in the presence of the [[Archbishop of York]], [[The Most Reverend]] [[Donald Coggan]].

Inbanathan was also a participant at one of the synods of the [[Church of South India Synod]].<ref name="George">K. M. George, ''Church of South India: life in union, 1947–1997'', Jointly published by Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Christava Sahitya Samithi, Tiruvalla, 1999, p.89. [https://books.google.com/books?um=1&q=]</ref>
{{S-start}}
{{S-other}}
{{Succession box| before=[[W. Park Rankin]] 1959–1960| title=General Secretary, [[Bible Society of India]], [[Bangalore]]|after=O. M. Mani 1981
| years=1960–1981}}
{{s-end}}

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}
;Further reading
* {{cite book
| author=Edwin H. Robertson
| title=''Taking the Word to the world: 50 years of the United Bible Societies''
| year=1996
| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=at1wAAAAMAAJ&q=inbanathan
| publisher=T. Nelson Publishers
| isbn=9780785272328
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Inbanathan, A. E.}}
[[Category:Hartford Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Union Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Christian theologians]]
[[Category:Church of South India clergy]]
[[Category:People from Viluppuram district]]

A. E. Inbanathan - Revision history

BeauBasaldua8 at 01:51, 13 December 2025